ASL Dictionary

A reference resource for looking up American Sign Language signs and their meanings. Unlike dictionaries for written languages, ASL dictionaries face unique challenges because signs cannot be typed as search queries. Traditional ASL dictionaries organize signs alphabetically by English gloss or by handshape, but users who encounter an unfamiliar sign may not know the English translation or be able to identify the handshape. Modern ASL dictionaries increasingly use search-by-feature interfaces (selecting handshape, location, movement) or video-based search (submitting a video of the sign for automatic recognition). Research shows that placement of results and similarity of surrounding entries significantly affect user satisfaction with these systems.